Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Monday said former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan received his third dose of anti-VEGF intravitreal injection.
“Before the operation, he was examined by ophthalmologists and found to be vitally stable,” the PIMS administration said in a statement.
Imran was first taken to hospital in late January for a minor eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said PIMS doctors re-examined his eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, carried out a minor medical procedure that lasted about 20 minutes.
Earlier in March, another medical examination was conducted at Adiala Prison, following which PIMS said Imran showed significant improvement in his vision after his second dose of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.
According to the statement released by PIMS, Imran received the third dose “under microscopic control of surgeons”, after obtaining informed consent.
The hospital administration said the procedure was carried out under standard supervision and with adoption of all standard precautionary measures and protocols in the operating room.
The procedure was performed as an outpatient surgery, the administration said. He added that “during his stay he remained stable before, during and after the procedure and was released with instructions for further care, counseling and documentation.”
Reacting to the statement issued by PIMS, PTI raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the founder’s medical treatment.
In a statement on
PTI also asked why Imran’s personal doctors were being denied access and why his family was not allowed to meet him. The party further sought clarification on the situation, raising concerns over what it described as a lack of transparency.
Imran has been in custody since August 2023 and is serving a sentence in Adiala Prison in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces ongoing trials under the anti-terrorism law in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.
The PTI intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court said the vision in his right eye had fallen to 15 percent. However, government officials say he is receiving appropriate medical care.
Last month, a medical board that examined Imran reported improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend transferring him to hospital. According to his medical report, his vision in his right eye has improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye maintains 6/6 vision with the use of glasses. The assessment was conducted by Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif Khan, following a detailed examination at Adiala Prison.
According to the medical report, the anterior segment of both eyes was normal and the cornea was clear. He noted a slight intragel hemorrhage at the edge of the right eye and a moderate retinal hemorrhage in all four quadrants. Swelling of the macula in the right eye subsided, with macular thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns.
The board outlined the ongoing medications and treatment and recommended OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography after completion of anti-VEGF treatment, the report added, while no recommendation was made for Imran’s transfer to a hospital.
